Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-09-06

ally creates feeling of hardship and in
justice in the minds of those who cheer
fully and promptly pay their dog tax.
while the abatement of the nuisance by
the killing of unregistered dogs provokes
a large amount of unfriendly comment.
So long as the ordinance remains in force
it is the duty of the city marshal to en-
force it in manner and form as therein
set forth and provided. 1t is neither just
nor equitable that portion of the citl>
zens should comply and others go scot
free and still retain their dogs. The
committee on ordinances is specially re-
quested to direct their attention to this
particular ordinance; if it is just and
legal in its provisions and necessity to
the general welfare and public good, it
should remain unchanged. and be impair
italy enforced; if some of its provisions
can be bettered, let it be amended; if it is
vicious in principle and unjust in practi>
cal operation it should be repealed and
some better method substituted.
The attention of the council is earnest>
ly invoked to both the desirability and
the feasibility of making immediate pay
ment of so much of the amount of city
Indebtedness, in the form of outstanding
interest bearing orders, as would be
liquidated bv the sum set apart for sink
ing fund, namely Sl4, 600. The balance
in the treasury after payment of all ac-
crued interest to August 81, is in round
numbers about S32, 800 The further
proposed payment of said sinking fund
would still leave in the treasury the sum
of about SlS 500, to meet current city ex
penseS to Nov. l. AT that date there
would become due and payable into the
treasury from saloon licenses the sum OF
S2S, 800, should the number of saloons
continue the same as at present. To this
may be added in subsequent months of
the fiscal year such amount as may he
pad and received for municipal taxes for
the year 1887. There would seem to be
therefore, no danger of embarrassing or
binary current expenses and EXPENDITURES
by applying at once the sinking fund to-
the liquidation of that amount of the
aforesaid orders. Being IN terms paw
able on or before the first day OF January
1889, the saving of interest if paid now
instead of at the close of the fiscal year
would amount to about $500. The saw
ing thus to be made is certainly very des
srable and of public benefit. To ensure
the presentation of the orders by the hold
ers they might be notified TO present them
for payment on OF before the 18Th OF
September, and that interest on the same
If not presented would cease from and
after that date. 1t will be remembered
also in this connection that there is now
pending before the council the request OF
certain holders of these orders for an
abatement of the municipal tax on the
same, on the ground that the money hay
Ing been loaned at low rate of interest
to the city, it ought not, equtably. to be
burdened by tax which would virtually
lesson the rate of interest to very low
figure. Under these circumstances the
holders of the orders would scarcely find
1t any hardship to receive payment aud
have the money to loan to other parties
at more favorable rates.
Respectfully. etc.
V NJ. BLANDING, Mayor.